Crap Towns / Cheshire West and Chester / Ombudsman complaints

How often does the ombudsman find against Cheshire West and Chester council?

In 2025-26 the ombudsman decided 80 complaints and enquiries about Cheshire West and Chester council, investigated 17 and upheld 16. That's an uphold rate of 94%, against 85% for similar councils. Per 100,000 residents that's 4.3 upheld, against 5.6 for similar councils. It had already put things right in 38% of upheld cases, against 13% for similar councils. Told to put things right, it did in 100% of 12 cases, 9 on time.

**What the ombudsman decided, 2025-26**
Outcome	Complaints and enquiries
Upheld	16
Not upheld	1
Closed after first enquiries	31
Sent back to the council to sort out first	22
Advice given	1
Invalid or incomplete	9
All decided	80

**What people complained about, 2025-26**
Service	Complaints and enquiries received
Education and children's services	43
Adult social care	18
Highways and transport	10
Planning	9
Bins, environment and public protection	8
Corporate and other services	7
Housing	7
Benefits and tax	5
Other	2

**Nearby councils**
Council	Upheld per 100,000 residents, 2025-26
Cheshire East	7.8
Wirral	7.3
Halton	4.6
Cheshire West and Chester	4.3
Warrington	0.0